» The Falcons essentially didn't lose anyone of significance from their NFC championship team. This is a young, deep squad with great continuity. The only new starter on offense is right guard Wes Schweitzer. (There is a change at fullback, but even a Pro Bowler like Patrick DiMarco only played 30 percent of the team's snaps.) If things crumble, it's fair to pin any struggles on the departure of coordinator Kyle Shanahan. This team is loaded otherwise.

» Give Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff credit for continuing to aggressively address the pass-rush issues. While Vic Beasley may be the only consistent edge defender who can win one-on-one matchups, the Falcons have depth: Adrian Clayborn, Brooks Reed, Derrick Shelby and McKinley are all versatile talents who can play different positions in three- or four-man fronts.

» Beasley and Reed, for instance, could be listed as outside linebackers or defensive ends. Almost every Falcons front-line player can move around. Look for Campbell, who was impressive as a rookie, to move to strong-side linebacker while Riley, Deion Jones' teammate in college, takes the weak side.

» The depth extends throughout the defense. Brian Poole and Jalen Collins round out a nice four-pack at cornerback. Almost every position except safety has a solid backup plan. In Year 3 of the Dan Quinn era, the coach has a full complement of his style of players. There's no excuse for the Falcons to finish 27th in points allowed again.

» I have Julius Peppers coming off the bench in his return to Carolina. In the end, Mario Addison, Charles Johnson and Peppers should share snaps evenly. Addison is the youngest of the group (29 years old) and is making the most money, so he's the safest bet to play the most downs.

» This is the only team listed with two projected starting running backs. But the whole point of taking Christian McCaffrey at No. 8 overall is that he's not just a running back, right? It's easy to imagine a lot of formations where second-round pick Curtis Samuel and McCaffrey are both in the lineup at the same time, whether they are next to each other or across the formation.

Jonathan Stewart will still get plenty of carries, but his workload should be diminished. McCaffrey and Samuel should wind up taking snaps from Funchess and even Benjamin.

» The transition to a faster, more versatile offense makes it particularly costly that Cam Newton is spending the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery. This is supposed to be the offseason where Newton evolves away from many of the zone-read principles that have helped define the Panthers' offense.

» Michael Oher is not listed at right tackle. His concussion issues make his future career prospects uncertain. Second-round pick Taylor Moton is practicing as a tackle and could wind up starting on the right side.

» Mike Adams is one of the keys to this defense holding up. The Panthers signed the 36-year-old to start at safety, and there isn't much depth behind him.

» Ryan Ramczyk was a disappointing first-round pick to many Saints fans (and coaches) who wanted the team to draft linebacker Reuben Foster. Ramczyk, however, could wind up starting at right tackle and provides valuable insurance, considering Terron Armstead's injury history.

» It's not as if the Saints are embracing their status in the NFL ecosystem as a terrible defensive team. They believe they are better and improved last year under Dennis Allen, becoming a garden-variety bottom-five defense rather than a historically bad group. There is some reason for optimism. Squint hard and you can make the case this is the best secondary in the division. The defensive tackle duo is a plus. (Squinting can stop now.)

» The Bucs' best hope for offensive line improvement comes from Ali Marpet transitioning to center with the healthy return of J.R. Sweezy. This is an average tackle combination at best and a group that quietly sunk this offense for much of last season.

» Tampa's defensive line looks better than it has since Monte Kiffin's heyday. Noah Spence is primed to break out and the addition of Chris Baker gives the team flexibility. Gerald McCoy has the ability to put together a Defensive Player of the Year season. There is even quality depth up front, with Robert Ayers and Clinton McDonald not listed above.

» Only two cornerbacks were listed because I have no clue who the team's nickel cornerback will be. This position could sink the Bucs. There is no depth behind 2016 first-rounder Vernon Hargreaves and 34-year-old No. 1 cornerback Brent Grimes, who played well beyond his age last year. It's hard to imagine Grimes backing that season up.